Tag Archive for: All-Ireland Finals

GAA Rounders Women’s All-Ireland Finals Preview

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Well that break didn’t last too long!! The support for the articles, the idea that we should be promoting our teams and our games, the fact that players and managers read them, discuss them and look forward to them – and the huge number of supportive comments on Facebook, texts, emails and calls to ask for them to come back just can’t be argued with (and are very much appreciated – thank you to everyone who took the time to contact me or comment, it was lovely to read them all!)! So the previews are back – I couldn’t be happier and I couldn’t have asked for them to return on a more exciting weekend – GAA Rounders first ever Women’s All-Ireland Finals Day.

The only thing that I’m changing for these three weeks is that I’m not going to predict a winner – not because of anything that anyone said, but because I can’t, for any of the nine Finals. Margins are so, so tight between teams that it would be just sticking a pin in a name to suggest who’ll take the title. And that’s not fair – every team is in their final because of hard work, determination, grit and ability. As we know, this is Rounders, and on the day, anything can happen – so let’s go into all nine games with that knowledge and one of my favourite mantras “she believed she could do it…and she did”!

Junior Women

Starting the day at 11am will be our Junior Women’s Final, contested by two Limerick teams – St. Kieran’s of Ardagh and St. Senan’s of Foynes.

St. Kieran’s Junior Women

St. Kieran’s had a great season at league stages. Winning their first four games with at least one – and twice with three – bats in hand, they cruised comfortably to their final group game against St. Senan’s. Losing that game 17(5)-5(5) meant that St. Kieran’s finished the group in second place, leading to a quarter-final game against Carrickmacross Emmets of Monaghan. That decider in Tymon Park at the end of July saw St. Kieran’s take the win comprehensively with the final score being 18(2)-10(5). Their next meeting was a semi-final against Group B toppers Kilmore of Roscommon and took place in Edenderry on 9 August. Once again, against the odds, St. Kieran’s won, with a bat in hand, 33(4)–18(5).

St. Senan’s Junior Women

St. Senan’s also had a relatively easy journey to quarter-finals with five wins from five games, none of them going to five innings until their final clash with St. Kieran’s. As group winners, they faced Myshall in Tymon Park and, while predicted to have a more difficult game, the final score of 15(5)–2(5) showed their ability to perform under pressure. Their semi-final, against another Carlow side, Leighlinbridge, was the tighter of the two games that day but determination and hard work saw them take the win 15(5)-11(5).

And now these two neighbouring teams and group opponents will meet again to decide which of these sides will be crowned All-Ireland Champions 2026.

GAA Rounders president Paula Doherty with Junior Women’s finalists Linda Clifford of St Kieran’s, Limerick, left, and Kyra Hogan of St Senan’s, Limerick

Both sides have excellent pitchers and catchers. Louise Kelly, 2025 Junior All-Star, is used to pitching for St. Senan’s Intermediate Mixed team from 12m and her accuracy and speed from 10m makes pitches hard to hit. Deirdre Ambrose for St. Kieran’s is similarly accurate and rarely throws bad balls. Walk ons in this game are unlikely to be an issue. Both Back Catchers had great semi-finals but St. Senan’s Dorothy Cullagh had an excellent game with catches, throws to assist and outs on home base. St. Kieran’s Siobhán Halligan impressed with her ability to throw to base fast and accurately.

Baseminders on both teams are strong, with St. Kieran’s Caitríona Hough responsible for multiple semi-final outs while Eimear O’Malley on First for St. Senan’s had the majority of their on-base outs that day.

St. Kieran’s outfielders were highly effective during the semi-final with Ellie Bucke and Sandra Walsh responsible for catches and outs on base. Shortstop, and Captain, Emma Galvin supported her teammates excellently that day covering bases, throwing for outs and tagging players on the running line. While less of Leighlinbridge’s hits went outfield, both Gráinne Noonan and Captain Kyra Hogan had outs on clean catches. St. Senan’s Shortstop Dympna O’Brien covered infield effectively and had two catches of her own.

From analysing the statistics over the season it’s clear that both teams are well matched. While St. Senan’s can rely on the accuracy of bowling, throwing and catching from their pitcher/catcher/First Base trio for outs, St. Kieran’s are stronger outfield and at bat. Both teams are managed by members of GAA Rounders Committees – St. Kieran’s by Ard Chomhairle’s Munster Representative Michael Sheahan and St. Senan’s by Munster Juvenile Committee Representative Ian Sheehy, a man well used to All-Ireland Finals, having won two last year with St. Senan’s and playing in the Intermediate Men’s final next week as well.

Many of the St. Senan’s ladies played in the 2025 Junior Mixed final and have that experience to help them, while this is St. Kieran’s first time to make it through to knock-out games. While they will undoubtedly be nervous, hopefully those jitters will be gone once the game starts and the action begins.

Our Junior Women’s final will be refereed by Galway City Rapparees’ Jay Hall and his umpires will be Justin Perrin (Erne Eagles) and Limekiln’s Áine McLaughlin and Ciarán Weldon.

St. Kieran’s player Máire Dinneen will sing the National Anthem before the final commences.

This is a landmark game in so many ways – two Limerick teams, our first live streamed All-Ireland Junior final, our first ever Women’s Finals Day and the first time a GAA Rounders All-Ireland Championship cup will be presented by a female President – and our hope is that both teams, and their supporters, managers and families can enjoy the entire experience, the historic nature of the occasion and the first of our three All-Ireland Women’s finals.

Ádh mór oraibh go léir

Intermediate Women

At 1pm, our two Intermediate teams will start their final and while the first game is an all-Munster affair, this game is an all-Connacht clash between Roscommon’s Elphin and Galway City Rapparees.

No strangers to finals, both teams have had their share of All-Ireland Sundays over the past few years with Elphin narrowly losing out to Inniskeen Grattans in last year’s Junior Women’s final. Rapparees shared the same fate, to Emo, in the 2024 Junior Women’s final but many of their women who play Intermediate Mixed were part of their Junior Mixed team which won the 2024 All-Ireland, and all Rapparees women will form part of either their Junior or Intermediate Mixed teams who will both contest All-Ireland finals in Mallow GAA on Sunday 13 September….that’s an awful lot of All-Ireland medals between two squads!!

Elphin ladies after their win.

Elphin ladies after their win.

Starting with Elphin, who would have thought this time last year that this group of women who were so disappointed to have missed out on winning their final in Dunganny, would regroup, turn things around and prove just how strong and committed they are by making their way through the group stages with only one defeat? Their first match at Intermediate level, a tough ask for any team, was away to Galway City Rapparees and I don’t think they will mind me saying that they struggled that day, losing 28(3)-6(5). But it is testament to the entire squad that they didn’t let that affect the rest of their season, beating Michael Glavey’s, Kilmeena and St. Clare’s with excellent displays of tactical rounders, showing their skill at bat and fielding. The two month wait between their final league game and their semi-final against Wexford’s Castletown Liam Mellows was well spent preparing and, in a rematch of their 2025 Junior Semi-final on the same pitch against the same opposition, they took the game 15(4)-3(5), sending them marching on to an All-Ireland final for the second time in two years.

Galway Rapparees women’s team

Galway Rapparees women’s team

Their opponents, Galway City Rapparees, are in their second year at Intermediate and while their first year was difficult and didn’t go as they would have liked, girl power and inner belief kicked in this season, and they smashed their second year at the grade. Undefeated all year they have fielded strongly, batted well and ran the bases smartly. Their semi-final, a home match as their club hosted this year’s Intermediate Semi-finals on 15 August, against Inniskeen Grattans was a masterclass in how to take a tight game and turn it on its head, with 16 players home in the final two innings. They took the win 22(5)-8(5) and set up an All-Ireland final against fellow Connacht side Elphin.

As with Junior Women, both finalists met in the group stages so they will be aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses but, let’s be honest, neither side really has a lot of weaknesses! One of Rapparees’ difficulties in 2025 was finding a pitcher with Edel Brennan unavailable and that has been resolved, and how!, this year with the discovery of Katie Jessop and her left-handed pitching skill. Responsible for ten outs in their semi-final against Inniskeen, Katie’s accurate pitching and amazing calmness at catching pop-ups is a huge asset for the Galway side. And it should be noted that this is a side with multiple skilled and talented players – Hazel Kilduff with her powerful throw, super catches and excellent batting, 2024 All-Star, lightening fast Clodagh Naughton, and cool under pressure Mel Mannion, Jenna O’Brien, Eimear Cuddy and Sorcha Dowd. Managed by Rory McGarvey, who understands both Intermediate and Senior level rounders, their ability to work together as a team should not be underrated – communication and their support for one another are visible in every game.

Elphin also have many talented players who can be relied upon to step up when the pressure is applied. Former Breaffy player Avril Coyne has given the team a level of tactical skill which helped them in their transition from Junior to intermediate. New signing for 2026, Gretta Davis has been consistently strong infield and her direction and guidance, along with that of Avril Coyne, has helped Elphin negotiate this year as well as they have. Pitcher Áine McDermott and Back Catcher Ciara Butler have been making a great team since Junior and continue to do so while Georgina McDermott on Second Base, responsible for five outs in Elphin’s semi-final against Castletown Liam Mellows, is dangerous when a ball comes her way. Kirstin Cronin outfield has a great catch and throw and both she, and twin Katie, are very fast around the bases. Pauline Tansey Brady must be credited with a lot of the success of this Elphin team – her dedication and hard work has brought them a long way in three years and her love of the game and her club are evident in all she does for Elphin.

On a similar point, Club Secretaries for all six club in this year’s Women’s Finals have been excellent all year and their professionalism and organisational skills have made my job so much easier. So go raibh míle maith agaibh Majella, Ian, Caitriona, Joe, Ciara and Eileen!

GAA Rounders president Paula Doherty with Intermediate Women’s finalists Georgina McDermott of Elphin, Roscommon, left, and Clodagh Naughton of Galway City Rapparees, Galway

Having had the pleasure of refereeing both Elphin and Galway City Rapparees this season, I can honestly say that both teams are two of the most sports(wo)manlike sides you can meet. Games are played competitively but fairly, with humour and good grace, appreciation for the opposition’s skill and good play but with a desire to win – and really could we look for more in an All-Ireland final? While only one team can claim the title on Sunday, both sides can be very proud of all they have achieved in the 2026 season, how far they have come since this time last year and what they have brought to the Intermediate Women’s competition and GAA rounders over their time playing our sport. Míle buíochas cailiní…agus go n-eirí an tádh libh go léir!

Our Intermediate Women’s final will be refereed by Erne Eagles’ Darryl Dolan and his umpires will be fellow Eagles Gerard Clerkin, Paul Mollaghan and Shane Sheridan.

The National Anthem will be performed by Galway City Rapparees’ Jay Hall.

Senior Women

Two exciting games over, our Senior Women will take to the pitch for a 3.30pm start and while, for one side this is familiar territory, having been in the same position for the past four years, for the other it’s been a while since they featured in a Senior Women’s Final. Enter Breaffy of Mayo, going for five in a row, and Limekiln of Dublin.

Unbeaten all year, Breaffy are heading into this match looking to win their fifth Senior All-Ireland Women’s Championship in a row. Both teams met already this year, in Athlone in May, and Breaffy took the win 11(5)-5(5) but a lot has changed for Limekiln in those three months. With new signings this year – Serena Costelloe, Erica Meslin, Marilin Neiland and Katarina Prazakova from Kevin’s and Colette McCaul from St. Clare’s – their team was just working out the dynamics of where the new additions would fit in. As the season progressed that became very clear and the newer and established players began to work together seamlessly and became stronger with every game.

Breaffy Senior Women

Breaffy’s team saw some new additions this year and they have also settled into the team well over the course of the season. GAA Rounders President Paula Doherty’s Third Base position was taken over in various games by Mikaela Foy, Treasa Fitzgibbon, Laura Williams and Moreblessing Ndlovu while Paula Lenehan returned to cover First Base at various times this year. Consistently excellent Michelle Hopkins, Katie Groonell, Helen Gallagher and the Gavin sisters – Gráinne and Aileen – continue to impress in every game.

Topping the group Breaffy played fourth place Erne Eagles in their semi-final on a wet day with challenging conditions in Monaghan GAA’s Centre of Excellence. Although Breaffy were expected to win comfortably, the Cavan ladies had other ideas and pushed the defending champions to the very last bat of the last innings, just narrowly missing out on bringing the game to extra innings with a 15(7)-13(7) result.

Screenshot

Limekiln had an easier semi-final, beating Carrickmacross Emmets 11(7)-5(7) to secure their spot in the final. Pitcher Serena Costelloe has played a blinder all year with excellent pitching, catching and throwing for outs on base. Assisted by Erica Meslin at Short Stop, Kate O’Reilly behind the batter and experienced and composed Base Minders like Amanda Kealy, Marion Hughes and Eileen Goggins, infield is well covered. Outfield Yvonne Healy, Captain Emma Hudson, Colette McCaul and Ellen Maguire are reliable and skilled at both catching and throwing back to home to prevent runs being scored.

GAA Rounders president Paula Doherty with Senior Women’s finalists Emma Hudson of Limekiln, Dublin, left, and Michelle Hopkins of Breaffy, Mayo

With a bit of history on the line here – if Breaffy win, they will match the five in a row record held by Castlebar and Rathdowney while Limekiln’s last Senior Women’s All-Ireland title was in 2005 and it has been 10 years since they appeared in a Women’s All-Ireland final – the winner of this game will add something to the statistic book. Whatever the result, we look forward to enjoying a closely contested, fast-paced game which will showcase our talented players and our exciting sport.

Beirigí bua!

The honour of refereeing this Senior Final will go to Cúchulainn’s AnnMarie Brennan and her umpires will be PJ Lalor (Myshall), Leah Mullins (Cúchulainn) and Justin Perrin (Erne Eagles).

Just a reminder for those of you unable to attend that all three finals will be live streamed on TG4 Sport’s YouTube channel with live commentary for all matches. Coverage will start at 10.50am.

Cluiche Corr – Cluichí Ceannais na mBan | St Kieran’s v St Senan’s

Cluiche Corr – Cluichí Ceannais na mBan | Galway City Rapparees v Elphin

Cluiche Corr – Cluichí Ceannais na mBan | Breaffy v Limekiln

For anyone who can attend, tickets are required and can be purchased at the following link

GAA Rounders Women’s All-Ireland Finals 2026 – Universe

Finally, the very best of luck to all players involved in Sunday’s finals. Be proud of your achievement and enjoy the experience – we know that you will all do yourselves, your clubs and GAA Rounders proud and we are all looking forward to a fantastic day of top quality Rounders in Abbotstown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch Live: TG4 to Show Three Weeks of GAA Rounders All-Ireland Finals

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Watch Live: TG4 to Show Three Weeks of GAA Rounders All-Ireland Finals

GAA Rounders is set for three huge weeks of national exposure, with TG4 providing live online coverage of the 2026 All-Ireland Finals across three consecutive Sundays.

Nine All-Ireland titles will be decided across the Women’s, Men’s and Mixed championships, with the action beginning at the National Games Development Centre in Abbotstown on Sunday, 30 August before moving to Offaly and finally Mallow.

Supporters unable to attend will be able to follow the action live online as the Junior, Intermediate and Senior championships are decided.

Sunday, 30 August – Women’s Finals, Abbotstown

The first of the three finals weekends takes place at the National Games Development Centre, Abbotstown, with three Women’s All-Ireland champions to be crowned.

11:00am – Junior Women: St Kieran’s (Limerick) v St Senan’s (Limerick)

Finals season begins with an all-Limerick encounter as St Kieran’s and St Senan’s battle for the Junior Women’s title.

WATCH LIVE: St Kieran’s v St Senan’s

1:00pm – Intermediate Women: Galway City Rapparees v Elphin (Roscommon)

 

Whatever happens at Abbotstown, history will be made in the Intermediate Final.

Both Galway City Rapparees and Elphin will be appearing in their first Women’s All-Ireland Final, guaranteeing a first national title for one of the two Connacht clubs.

For Rapparees, it continues a rapid rise for a club which played its first championship season in 2022, while Elphin will arrive from Roscommon with exactly the same ambition – to make their first final appearance a winning one.

WATCH LIVE: Galway City Rapparees v Elphin

3:30pm – Senior Women: Breaffy (Mayo) v Limekiln (Dublin)

The final game of the opening weekend brings one of the biggest stories of the entire championship.

Breaffy are going for an extraordinary fifth successive Senior Women’s All-Ireland title.

The Mayo side have established themselves as the dominant force in the grade and now stand just one victory away from completing five-in-a-row.

Limekiln travel from Dublin looking to end that remarkable sequence and take home the biggest prize in Women’s GAA Rounders.

WATCH LIVE: Breaffy v Limekiln

Sunday, 6 September – Men’s Finals, Offaly

The following Sunday, the focus switches to the Offaly GAA Centre of Excellence in Kilcormac for the Men’s All-Ireland Finals.

11:00am – Junior Men: Gusserane (Wexford) v Myshall (Carlow)

Leinster rivals Gusserane and Myshall open the second weekend as they compete for the Junior Men’s All-Ireland title.

1:00pm – Intermediate Men: St Clare’s (Cavan) v St Senan’s (Limerick)

Ulster meets Munster in the Intermediate decider, with St Clare’s taking on St Senan’s. It will be a first senior men’s campaign for one of these teams in 2027.

Senior Men: Erne Eagles (Cavan) v Carrickmacross Emmets (Monaghan)

The Senior Final will see two of the leading teams in the country go head-to-head as Erne Eagles and Carrickmacross Emmets battle for the 2026 Senior Men’s All-Ireland Championship. These have been a step ahead of everyone over the past few years. With Carrick wining in 2026 and Eagles in 2025.

It promises to provide a fitting conclusion to the second Sunday of live TG4 coverage.

Sunday, 13 September – Mixed Finals, Mallow

The championship concludes on Sunday, 13 September at Mallow GAA, Cork, with three Mixed All-Ireland Finals.

Galway City Rapparees will have a particularly significant day, with the club represented in two of the three Mixed finals.

11:00am – Junior Mixed: Galway City Rapparees v Kilmore (Roscommon)

Rapparees and Kilmore begin proceedings with an all-Connacht All-Ireland Final. This is a proper Galway v Roscommon derby, it should be a fantastic match.

1:00pm – Intermediate Mixed: Emo (Laois) v Galway City Rapparees

Just two hours later, Galway City Rapparees return to the field for the Intermediate Final against Emo.

It gives the Galway club the unusual opportunity to contest two national Mixed finals on the same afternoon.

Emo got beaten in last years final and will be hoping to go one better.

3:30pm – Senior Mixed: Breaffy (Mayo) v Glynn Barntown (Wexford)

The final game of the 2026 club championship sees Breaffy face Glynn Barntown for the Senior Mixed crown. Breaffy are going for three titles in a row.

After nine finals across three Sundays, the Senior Mixed decider will bring the curtain down on the championship season.

Nine GAA Rounders Finals Across Three Sundays

Sunday, 30 August
Women’s Finals – NGDC Abbotstown, Dublin

Sunday, 6 September
Men’s Finals – Offaly GAA Centre of Excellence, Kilcormac

Sunday, 13 September
Mixed Finals – Mallow GAA, Cork

From clubs appearing in their first All-Ireland Final to Breaffy chasing five Senior Women’s and theee mixed titles in succession, there will be no shortage of stories across the three weekends.

Most importantly, the live TG4 coverage gives GAA Rounders an opportunity to put its biggest games and best players in front of a much wider audience.

The road to nine All-Ireland titles begins at 11:00am this Sunday in Abbotstown, when St Kieran’s and St Senan’s throw the first pitch of three consecutive weekends of GAA Rounders All-Ireland Finals.

Club Focus: Kilmore – Family, Community and a Club That Thinks Big

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GAA ROUNDERS • CLUB FOCUS

Kilmore

Family, Community and a Club That Thinks Big

One of the special privileges of these Club Focus articles is highlighting the clubs that encapsulate everything great about GAA Rounders.

Last week, we featured

Galway City Rapparees

– a club that has achieved meteoric success while keeping community and friendship front and centre.

This week, our focus shifts to another Connacht club where those same core values are immediately evident, with the added bonus of family being hugely important: Kilmore from Roscommon.

Club
Kilmore
County
Roscommon
Province
Connacht

“

Ask anyone in our organisation to name a club that is welcoming, fun, hard-working and highly competitive, and the “boys and girls in blue” will instantly come up.

In a remarkably short space of time, Kilmore has become an integral part of the national Rounders family.

Kilmore • Roscommon • GAA Rounders

It’s time to take a closer look at their story!

A Small Club With a Big Place in GAA History

Many of you may have made the trip to Leitrim’s Carrick-on-Shannon for a hen or stag weekend, but just 10km outside the town, across the border in north Roscommon, lies Kilmore GAA.

For a small rural club, Kilmore has already left a remarkable mark on Irish sport. It was Kilmore GAA that brought forward the historic motion to amend Rule 42, paving the way for rugby and soccer internationals to be played at Croke Park while Lansdowne Road was being redeveloped.

That history of a small club being willing to think big feels particularly fitting when you look at what Kilmore Rounders has achieved in such a short space of time.

From Junior Day to National Contenders

Founded in 2023 by Nicola Craughwell and Clare Connellan – who sent a simple “who would be interested in joining a Rounders club?” text to their local group – it soon became evident that many people were! Their very first training session saw an incredible 40 interested players turn up.

Kilmore’s playing journey began that winter in the Connacht Winter League, where their first competitive games came against Galway City Rapparees. That off-season competition proved invaluable for a brand-new club. Game by game, they learned the sport, developed their fielding and batting and improved enormously over the winter months.

Their national debut came at the 2024 Junior Day in Fenagh, Co. Carlow – where they promptly went and won the Mixed competition! Anyone watching that day could see this was a club destined for big things, driven by genuine talent and exceptional team chemistry.

With Rounders firmly established in the parish, Kilmore prioritised youth development in that foundational first year, bringing an U14 Mixed team to Monaghan for the All-Ireland competition in Cloghan. Meanwhile, their adult Mixed team entered the Championship and went from strength to strength, qualifying from their group and storming into the All-Ireland Quarter-Finals in Tymon Park with a win over Wexford side Gusserane. Although their journey ended in the Semi-Finals against Inniskeen Grattans in Clonguish, reaching the final four in their inaugural Championship season was a massive achievement.

Rising Through the Ranks

Ambitious from the outset, Kilmore expanded in 2025 to field Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed teams in All-Ireland competitions. Building on their initial experience, all three setups performed brilliantly during the group stages, with both the Men’s and Women’s panels advancing.

While the Men earned a direct route to the Semi-Finals, the Women’s team faced Monaghan side Inniskeen Grattans in a hard-fought Quarter-Final in Clonguish. Inniskeen took the win and ultimately went on to claim the 2025 All-Ireland title.

Ironically, the following month in Galway, Kilmore’s Men’s team faced that very same team – Inniskeen Grattans – in the Semi-Finals. A tight, well-deserved victory provided sweet redemption, propelling Kilmore into their first Junior All-Ireland Final against Limerick’s St. Senan’s in Dunganny.

That final was an absolute classic that kept spectators on the edge of their seats for all five innings. Outstanding performances from Aidan Carr, Jamie Sharkey, Oisín Boland, and others kept Kilmore right in the mix, before St. Senan’s eventually edged out a 10-6 victory.

Junior Men’s All-Ireland Finalists 2025

The 2026 Campaign: Triple Threat

Kilmore’s powerful 2025 campaign earned their Men’s team promotion to the Intermediate grade for 2026 and they hit the ground running with an explosive 30-6 opening-day win over Dublin Metropolitans. Narrow losses against Emo and St. Senan’s followed, but Kilmore proved they could go toe-to-toe with established Intermediate opposition.

They bounced back in style with a 15-10 win over Mayo’s Kilmeena, followed by an impressive 21-14 victory over St. Clare’s in Cavan. Having found their rhythm, the Men now look ahead to this Saturday’s Intermediate Semi-Final – a rematch with St. Clare’s – where a place in the All-Ireland Final is on the line in their very first year at the grade!

Kilmore Junior Women

It has been an equally impressive 2026 for the Women’s team, who put together an unbeaten group campaign before defeating Wexford’s Gusserane 27-10 in the Quarter-Finals. Their run came to an end against a powerful St. Kieran’s side in the Semi-Finals on Sunday, 9 August. Despite the 33-18 defeat, Kilmore showed tremendous heart, with brilliant defensive catches from Nicola Craughwell (Back Catcher), Joann Sharkey (2nd Base) and Ruth McElhone (3rd Base), alongside sharp base-running from Clodagh Sheerin, Carmel Murphy and Sinéad Beirne.

Oisin Boland

Meanwhile, Kilmore’s Mixed team has produced a superb season – and their journey isn’t over yet! After topping their group with a perfect record, they defeated Carlow’s Myshall 30-12 in the Quarter-Finals. The sides were closely matched until the fourth innings, when Kilmore found another gear and brought an incredible 18 runners home in a single turn at bat.

They followed that with a dominant 16-1 Semi-Final victory over Na Piarsaigh in Edenderry, driven by standout performances from Mark Harrington, Nicola Craughwell, James Jamieson and an on-fire Oisín Boland, who recorded no fewer than five clean catches and assisted another two outs on base!

That sets up a mouth-watering All-Ireland Junior Mixed Final on 13 September in Mallow GAA. In another one of our sport’s great moments of showing how anything is possible with hard work and dedication, two clubs who first met less than three years ago playing in the Connacht Winter League will face each other again – this time with an All-Ireland title on the line.

A True Family Club

While training, tactics, and talent explain their rapid rise, they only tell half the story. What makes Kilmore truly special is the extraordinary personal bonds within the squad.

Team management is entirely player-led:

  • Women’s Team: Managed by Aidan Carr
  • Men’s Team: Managed by Ana Carr and Nicola Craughwell
  • Mixed Team: Managed by Seán Boland and Mark Harrington

Remarkably, the playing roster boasts no fewer than six married couples (Aidan & Ana Carr, John & Nicola Craughwell, Kevin & Irene White, Jamie & Joann Sharkey, Breian & Siobhán Carroll, and Oisín Boland & Clodagh Sheerin) and two parent-child combinations (Mark & Eli Harrington, and Seán & Oisín Boland), taking the concept of a “family club” to a whole new level! That togetherness shows on the pitch. Kilmore plays with seamless trust, genuine warmth, and a refusal to give up on a play – or a teammate.

 

Kilmore’s Jamie & Joann Sharkey, Barbara & JP Murray, Orla & Mark Harrington, Nicola & John Craughwell and Ana & Aidan Carr at the 2025 GAA Rounders All-Stars

While the whole club contributes to this unique culture, a few individuals deserve special mention:

  • Seán Boland (Chairman), Ruth McElhone (Secretary) & Nicola Craughwell (Communications): This trio is the cornerstone of the club. Ruth manages seamless administration and fixtures while anchoring 3rd Base, Seán leads with warmth and vision, and Nicola is always available to assist with queries and step in wherever needed. Together, they epitomise the spirit of GAA Rounders.
  • Aidan & Ana Carr: The unmistakable faces of Kilmore Rounders. Whether playing, managing, coaching underage teams, driving nationwide to support fixtures, or umpiring, their absolute devotion to promoting and supporting Rounders is inspiring. Everyone across GAA Rounders sends their best wishes to Ana for a speedy recovery following her injury in last Sunday’s Women’s Semi-final – we can’t wait to see you back on a pitch!

Kilmore’s special place in the hearts and minds of their fellow clubs was made official when they won the Junior Club of the Year Award at the 2025 All-Stars – an award voted for directly by their peers. Their hard work was further recognised when pitcher Aidan Carr was selected to represent GAA Rounders in the Men’s Exhibition Game at the GAA World Games on 16 July in Waterford.

The Next Chapter

Looking Ahead

A Club With Plenty to Play For

With an Intermediate Men’s Semi-Final this Saturday, an All-Ireland Junior Mixed Final awaiting on 13 September, underage training reintroduced this summer and 40 registered members, the future could not be brighter for the Roscommon club

Kilmore’s story is a reminder of what makes GAA Rounders special. You don’t need to come from a huge club or have decades of history behind you. Get good people together, make everyone feel welcome, put in the work and enjoy doing it, and remarkable things can happen.

For a small rural club that once helped change the course of Irish sporting history by thinking big, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that Kilmore Rounders is doing exactly the same.

Whatever happens over the coming weeks, Kilmore has flown the flag for Roscommon, Connacht and GAA Rounders with immense pride, skill and joy

We wish Kilmore the very best of luck in Saturday’s Intermediate Men’s Semi-Final and September’s Junior Mixed All-Ireland Final

Family • Community • Ambition
Something tells us the Kilmore story
is only getting started

GAA Rounders Senior Finals 2025 – Referees Confirmed & Ticket Info

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🎉 GAA Rounders Senior All-Ireland Finals – Referees Confirmed! 🎉

The stage is set for a massive day in Abbotstown this Saturday, 6th September – and the referees have just been announced:

⚾ Senior Ladies Final

🕐 1.00pm – Breaffy v Glynn Barntown

Referee: Chris Hughes

⚾ Senior Mixed Final

🕞 3.15pm – Breaffy v Erne Eagles

Referee: Philip Keane

⚾ Senior Men’s Final

🕠 5.30pm – Carrickmacross v Erne Eagles

Referee: AnnMarie Brennan

🎟️ Tickets are available now – don’t leave it last minute!

Come out and support the best of the best as the Senior All-Ireland Champions are crowned! 🏆

GAA Rounders Sends Best Wishes to Camogie Association Ahead of All-Ireland Finals

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GAA Rounders Sends Best Wishes to Camogie Association Ahead of All-Ireland Finals

GAA Rounders proudly extends its best wishes to President Brian Molloy and everyone in the Camogie Association as they prepare for this Sunday’s All-Ireland Finals in Croke Park. These finals are a celebration of skill, dedication, and tradition, with three titles up for grabs — Junior (Armagh vs Laois), Intermediate (Clare vs Derry), and the showpiece Senior Final between Cork and Galway.

As part of the wider GAA family, we’re encouraging all our members and supporters to get behind camogie this weekend. Whether you’re cheering for Armagh, Laois, Clare, Derry, Cork, or Galway, it’s a day to unite and celebrate the incredible athletes who represent their counties with pride. In particular, we’re making a big call-out to support Cork and Galway in the Senior Final — a clash that promises to be one of the highlights of the GAA year.

GAA Rounders President Iain Cheyne said:
“We wish President Brian Molloy and the entire camogie community the very best for Sunday. These finals are a showcase of everything that makes the GAA so special, and we encourage all members to get behind camogie and celebrate the sport in Croke Park.”

The weekend also sees key action in GAA Rounders, with our Junior All-Ireland Semi-Finals taking place on Saturday in Galway . We wish the very best of luck to all the teams competing, and we look forward to seeing more thrilling games as the championship season reaches its climax.